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Anacortes has a strong boating community that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Article Courtesy Experience Anacortes
Anacortes is conveniently located halfway between Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, BC, and is one of the destination points to access the San Juan Islands. Known for its beautiful, historic waterfront and downtown district, the island has 80 km (50 mi) of hiking trails, numerous outdoor adventure opportunities, and annual festivals.
Home to more than 18,000 residents, Anacortes depends on its sound and reliable infrastructure to efficiently move people, freight, and produce within and around its borders. Aside from roadways and three iconic bridges, it has an airport, two ferry terminals, four marinas, and a seaport. It also has a strong boating community that entices visitors from all over the world every year.
When you visit Anacortes, you’ll be greeted with entertainment and excellent local cuisine. Its music scene is lively all year and visitors can soak up a range of tunes from rock and bluegrass to jazz at outside venues during the summer, while restaurants and pubs bustle every season.
The community’s culinary scene is ever-growing. It has a variety of restaurants with farm-to-table menus, scratch and house-made ingredients, and specialties including BBQ, fusion, and ‘rustic scratch.’ Whether you want a quick bite or an upscale dining experience, it’s easy to satisfy your taste buds here.
There’s plenty to do and see regardless of the time of year. Starting in February, Anacortes kicks off its annual event series with an annual wine festival, Anacortes UNCORKED. This food and wine experience pairs well with a romantic getaway.
Anacortes Chamber of Commerce
Scenic hiking trails allow you to further experience this coastal community
Spring ushers in whale watching season with more opportunities to go kayaking, paddle-boarding, and fishing while hiking trails surround beautiful campgrounds in the state parks. The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival blooms with fresh fields of colour that attracts visitors from across North America and beyond.
Come summer, the Saturday Anacortes Farmers Market is the place to go for local farm-fresh cheeses, homemade baked breads, artisan jewelry, and more. Afterwards, hike one of the many trails and feast on a picnic lunch with a view of the islands. The Annual Boat and Yacht Show (featuring ‘Trawlerfest’) in late May as well as the Waterfront Festival are events not to miss.
When you cruise here in the fall, be sure to visit Anacortes’ well-loved annual beer and cider festival, Bier on the Pier. This is also when you can enjoy the seasonal crisp, cool air, the changing scenery, and cozy weekends in town.
Winters are mild, but Anacortes is still ideal to visit (if your vessel is in storage for the winter) to hike or explore the town’s history on a self-guided walking tour. The temperature is also warm enough to go fishing (or hire a charter) to stock your freezer with fresh-caught salmon or halibut from the Salish Sea. The annual tree lighting kicks off Coastal Christmas — enjoy holiday festivities, cheer, and events all December.
However, a popular activity all year is browsing the downtown boutiques and antique shops and relaxing over a savoury meal. Driving up to Cap Sante to watch the sunset over the historical downtown and the San Juan Islands is another popular pastime.
Anacortes Chamber of Commerce
The culinary scene is ever-growing and there are a variety of restaurants with authentic farm-to-table menus.
Historic Downtown Anacortes
A variety of tours are available to learn about the history of the city. Featuring the Anacortes Mural Project, downtown Anacortes has something eye-catching for everyone. Local resident Bill Mitchell is the artist behind the 150-plus colourful outdoor murals adorning the walls of buildings along this island community’s main street.
While admiring the murals, be sure to check out the number of stores and local businesses. From treasure hunting and sampling local menu items to browsing the latest trends at the contemporary clothiers, Anacortes’ downtown corridor has it all.
Plan Your Next Fidalgo Island Experience
Anacortes has a number of marinas. Cap Sante Marina is owned by the Port of Anacortes and has earned many awards for its first-class facilities and amenities including fuel, restrooms, laundry facilities, and launch ramps.
Another popular choice is The Skyline Marina on the west side of Fidalgo Island with transient moorage, boat storage, launching facilities, and fuel. Floats with 20 and 30-amp power and the ideal draft can accommodate vessels up to 30 m (100 ft). With a variety of other services, at the time of writing, the marina’s fuel dock was closed with unscheduled repairs so it’s best to radio or call ahead to ensure access to fuel is available.
On the east side of the island is The Anacortes Marina. Since it’s a privately-owned condominium facility, transient moorage is not available and slips are based on annual leases only. Nevertheless, it just might be a good alternative if you prefer to enjoy seasonal boating in the region.
Whether you are a transient boater or day-tripping with a boat in tow, Anacortes is the perfect coastal community. Settle in at a marina, local campground, or any one of the comfortable hotels or BnBs, and then enjoy all that this vibrant coastal community has to offer - during the summer as well as in the off-season.